Relative of Zoey Felix says people were 'trashing' Topeka yard of slaying victim's mother
An out-of-state relative of 5-year-old Zoey Felix says her grief over the Topeka girl's violent death is accompanied by concern for the safety of Zoey's mother, 36-year-old Holly Jo Felix.
Strangers, one thought to be armed, were "trashing" the yard of Holly Felix's home in the block of 2200 S.E. Market, her cousin said.
Brandi Sutcliffe-Mcardle, of Fort Collins, Colorado, called a Capital-Journal reporter late Wednesday afternoon to share her concern.
Topeka police responded about 3:30 p.m. on a report that people the resident didn't know were causing a disturbance, said Gretchen Spiker, communications director for Topeka's city government.
"Officers did respond and resolve the disturbance," she said. "Transportation was arranged by TPD for the resident for the safety of all involved."
Two trash containers could be seen knocked over in front of the house afterward, with garbage strewn over the ground.
Extended family didn't know Zoey Felix was living in a tent
Zoey often roamed her neighborhood alone and unsupervised as she formerly lived with her parents and others at in the block of 2200 S.E. Market, neighbors told The Capital-Journal on Tuesday.
Holly Felix about two weeks ago expelled from that house a group that included Zoey; Ezequiel Felix-Guerrero, who was Zoey's father; Kaitlyn Cain, a teenager who was Holly Felix's daughter by another father; and Mickel Cherry, neighbors and relatives said. The group went to live in a campsite in southeast Topeka.
Zoey's father had legal custody of her, meaning Holly Felix couldn't keep him from taking her with him, Sutcliffe-Mcardle said.
On Tuesday, Topeka police said Zoey had been raped and killed a day earlier. Cherry, 25, was being held on a $2 million bond Thursday morning in the Shawnee County Jail in connection with rape and first-degree murder in the commission of a felony. Formal charges haven't been filed.
Cherry was also being held on a "hold for positive identification," jail records said.
Zoey's relatives in other states had no idea she was living in a tent, Sutcliffe-Mcardle said.
"None of us knew anything," she said. "Any one of us would have jumped at the chance to take this little girl in and provide her a home."
Sutcliffe-Mcardle said her brother, California resident Justin Leuty, has set up an account on the GoFundMe website seeking donations to help cover funeral costs.
"Zoey was a sweet, funny and goofy little girl who had a great smile and laugh that lit up the world," that page said.
It had received donations totaling $5,052 by Thursday morning and had a goal of bringing in $10,000.
"Justin just wants to do right by Zoey and honor her as the sweet, beautiful girl she was," Sutcliffe-Mcardle said.
'Put the hate aside' on social media, family member asks
Sutcliffe-Mcardle said she and Leuty are among nieces and nephews of Dave and Joann Leuty, residents of Nevada and the parents of Holly Felix and grandparents of Zoey.
Dave Leuty died in January and Joann Leuty is in poor health with respiratory problems, she said.
Holly Felix was born in Colorado and formerly lived in Colorado and Nevada, Sutcliffe-Mcardle said, adding that members of their extended family are "very close" to each other.
Sutcliffe-Mcardle said family members feel particularly concerned about the animosity being expressed on social media toward Holly Felix.
"I can't believe the amount of hate I'm seeing," she said. "Everyone's so judgmental. I wish people could put their hate aside and focus on the fact that we're all grieving for this little girl."
Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Relative of slain 5-year-old Zoey Felix fears for her mother's safety
